2020 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Ludwig]

These two observations from the same Roar article:

Six talking points from AFL Round 9

If you’re an AFL side looking to snatch up a quality ruckman at the end of the year I reckon there’s one to be lured away from Richmond’s list. Toby Nankervis, Ivan Soldo and Mabior Chol are all clearly capable at the level but can’t play in the same side.

There’s a lot to like about the youth on Sydney’s list, but here’s a question I still don’t know the answer to – who’s their next A-grade midfielder? Well stocked with quality kids in most areas of the ground, but that one remains something of a mystery.

Both comments have been talked about a lot on here.

I mentioned a few times that I think Mabior Chol is one we should go after. Soldo looks to be #1 ruckman now, and Nankervis would be a close second. I think they would love to keep Chol, but he's a rookie and probably on a low salary, so might be the one we could get with a good offer. If we end the season with a top 5 draft pick and Richmond finish close to the top, we may well be able to get Chol by trading down our first rounder, and just use that pick for Campbell.

I know it's a common theme that we need an A grade midfielder, but I have to respectfully disagree. I think our midfield looks a lot different with JPK, Hewett and Heeney around. I also think Mills will improve as he gets accustomed to the role. And we still have so many other good young mids that can move up, like Florent, Rowbottom, Bell, McInerney, Stephens and Warner, with Campbell and Gulden coming on board. The weight of numbers alone says to me that we will are building a strong midfield with loads of depth.

[Ralph Dawg]

Both comments have been talked about a lot on here.

I mentioned a few times that I think Mabior Chol is one we should go after. Soldo looks to be #1 ruckman now, and Nankervis would be a close second. I think they would love to keep Chol, but he's a rookie and probably on a low salary, so might be the one we could get with a good offer. If we end the season with a top 5 draft pick and Richmond finish close to the top, we may well be able to get Chol by trading down our first rounder, and just use that pick for Campbell.

I know it's a common theme that we need an A grade midfielder, but I have to respectfully disagree. I think our midfield looks a lot different with JPK, Hewett and Heeney around. I also think Mills will improve as he gets accustomed to the role. And we still have so many other good young mids that can move up, like Florent, Rowbottom, Bell, McInerney, Stephens and Warner, with Campbell and Gulden coming on board. The weight of numbers alone says to me that we will are building a strong midfield with loads of depth.

I agree and disagree. Young talent, absolutely. But gap between JPK and Parker and the youngsters is too great. We are missing the guys who are 5-6 years into their AFL career, especially with Mills and Heeney playing defence and forward respectively, and the loss of Jones.

[707]

Our next A Grade midfielder? Will arrive via Pick 2 in the ND.

Given the Stage 4 Vic lockdown, highly unlikely to be any Vic U18 before the ND so non Vic kids will be pushing themselves up the draft boards.

[stevoswan]

I dont think he could. Lets all assume we are getting Daniher next year because he's going to be dirt cheap and we'll risk the injury status.

Papley is a player you can build a forward line around. We should hold on to him at all costs.
Brisbane have built a forward line around Charlie Cameron, with so-so talls like Hipwood. You can get away without the best talls if they can make a contest, and you have elite small forwards. So between an aging buddy, and injury prone Reid and Daniher, at least one should be on the park each week.

If we recruit Daniher next year I think a lot of us would be questioning our recruiters sanity and mindset....it smacks of desperation and ill placed hope..... and faith in them may be lost. Following it through to a likely failure could set the club back years.....he might come to us cheap but he still needs to be paid....and that won't be cheap.
I think the club may have moved on from JD.....it's common sense IMO.

[stevoswan]

Way too early judgement on the 19, 20 year olds

I agree.....the amount of impatient people on here expecting these young kids to be instant stars or they're out is extremely annoying.

[Ludwig]

I agree and disagree. Young talent, absolutely. But gap between JPK and Parker and the youngsters is too great. We are missing the guys who are 5-6 years into their AFL career, especially with Mills and Heeney playing defence and forward respectively, and the loss of Jones.

Losing Jones did hurt and I think we should have done more to keep him. He was in the right age group, same draft as Hewett, and we need players coming into their prime right now. But that's done now, so we have to move on. I hope the move of Mills to the midfield is permanent, and Heeney is okay at half forward with stints in the midfield. We have so many halfback types, there's no room for Mills in defence.

We are playing one of the youngest sides in the league, so we just have to wait a few years until the kids get experience. If the young talent flops, then we're in for a long stint near the bottom. But there's enough to be positive about to think that it will all come together in a couple of years and we'll be back in contention again.

Our next A Grade midfielder? Will arrive via Pick 2 in the ND.

The problem I find with this statement is that midfielders from recent drafts, like Stephens and Rowbottom, are already passed over as not being good enough, while an unknown from an upcoming draft is elevated to A Grade status. If we keep thinking that it's 'always the next draft' that's going to bring the gold, we're never going to get anywhere. That's Carlton-Speak.

[Captain]

If we recruit Daniher next year I think a lot of us would be questioning our recruiters sanity and mindset....it smacks of desperation and ill placed hope..... and faith in them may be lost. Following it through to a likely failure could set the club back years.....he might come to us cheap but he still needs to be paid....and that won't be cheap.
I think the club may have moved on from JD.....it's common sense IMO.

Couldn't disagree more.

We will get him for free and common sense would dictate that his contract is heavily weighted on games played. So if he continues to be injured, won't cost us much. The up side, on the other hand, is huge.

[TheBloods]

I thought Rowbottom and Florent were going to be our next A-grade mid...?

[stevoswan]

Couldn't disagree more.

We will get him for free and common sense would dictate that his contract is heavily weighted on games played. So if he continues to be injured, won't cost us much. The up side, on the other hand, is huge.

Uselesss for free is still useless. The 'upside' you speak of is unlikely to eventuate. He's a crock. If he comes, Paps goes and I know who most clubs would prefer at this time. Far more upside with Tom.....lets concentrate on keeping him.

[Ludwig]

Uselesss for free is still useless. The 'upside' you speak of is unlikely to eventuate. He's a crock. If he comes, Paps goes and I know who most clubs would prefer at this time. Far more upside with Tom.....lets concentrate on keeping him.

Big Upside for Sydney Radiology.

[stevoswan]

One only has to look at Hawthorn to see how a 'get injury prone crocks with huge upside cheap.....if they actually ever get properly match fit' policy works.

[707]

I'm wondering if Daniher has "fallen in love with Essendon" again, as Dododoro said after last years trade period?

Haven't heard how JD is progressing in his comeback bid.

[jono2707]

Which of our current injury-plagued talls gives up their spot in the rehab room if we bring in another?

Not worth it even for nothing.

[MattW]

Couldn't disagree more.

We will get him for free and common sense would dictate that his contract is heavily weighted on games played. So if he continues to be injured, won't cost us much. The up side, on the other hand, is huge.

Agreed.

[707]

Pick 2 before we match for Campbell is crucial. Here's a view from "Knighmare", ESPN's draft "expert" which seems to match what most other reputable sources are saying in this strange draft year. I like that he's mentioned six at the top of the draft without Campbell. We can get one of these before having to match Campbell, nice! Reckon Crows, who have form on this, will bid JUH with pick one, means who ever they choose next won't be saddled with the massive weight of the number one tag in a town where fans and media take no prisoners when it comes to grilling under performing Crows. A huge burden for an 18yo. ESPN said -

Ugle-Hagan, McDonald, Riley Thilthorpe, Will Phillips, Tanner Bruhn and Elijah Hollands are the most widely spoken about prospects.

The question recruiters will be asking is whether they want:

a) the most talented inside-50 threat since Franklin (Ugle-Hagan)
b) a high-motor key forward with a game resembling Nick Riewoldt (McDonald)
c) an athletic 200cm key forward who can relieve through the ruck (Thilthorpe)
d) the most advanced and dominant midfielder in the pool (Phillips)
e) a classy goalkicking midfielder (Bruhn) or
f) the highest impact per possession player in the draft who generates meaningful and effective drive by foot and with his run (Hollands)